Dr. YSR – A Synergy of Commitment & Courage

A Tribute to Dr. Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy

On a day when global networking sites across the world celebrated the 40th anniversary of invention of Internet, the State of Andhra Pradesh in India, a well known hub of information technology, recorded a black day for the people of the State were shocked by the sudden missing of Chief Minister Dr. Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy on 02.09.2009, who was subsequently found dead in a chopper crash along with four other men on board.

Dr. Yeduguri Sanditi Rajashekar Reddy, more popularly known as YSR has been a tall political statesman, who had won accolades from all sections of the society across the State and the Country for his people-centered governance and pro-poor schemes. Born on 8th July 1949, YSR was a medical doctor by profession and served the community, healing the poor freely through his medical hospital in a small town of Pullivendula of Cuddapah District in Andhra Pradesh. He has never lost an election in his entire three-decade political career, and has always stood for the values and principles he believed in. His Padha Yatra covering about 1400 kms for 64 days at a stretch attracted global attention and paved way to become Chief Minister in 2004. He has contributed remarkably in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, education, minorities, health, women empowerment, etc. what not, you name it, and you have it, Dr. YSR created an indelible impact on the lives of the people in Andhra Pradesh, and has given leadership on all fronts towards development in the State. He was mainly instrumental in UPA government return to power in 2009 by winning 33 seats to Lok Sabha, the highest from any State.

It may not be out of place to mention that the death of Dr. YSR is a great loss to the Minorities in the State, and specially to the Dalit Christian struggle for justice. Just a week before, Dr. YSR moved a resolution in the State Legislative Assembly urging the Center to grant Schedule Caste status to the Christians and Muslims of Dalit origin. He has been constantly lobbying for this cause at the Center, discussed the matter with the Central Law Minister, Minority Affairs Minister and with several other leaders and officials. With Dr. YSR taking a lead to the Dalit Christian struggle for justice, justice to Christians and Muslims of Dalit origin would have been granted at the earliest. He was deeply committed for this cause, and at any cost would have seen the light of justice to Dalit Christians & Dalit Muslims. On seeing his passion for the cause of justice to Dalit Christians, Mr. Franklin Ceasar, the petitioner of the Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court seeking justice for Dalit Christians remarked that, “Dr. YSR is truly a man of God, for his fighting spirit for the cause of justice reveals his commitment to the faith he believes and he is a gift of God to the nation.” His other contributions to Dalit Christians in particular within the State include setting up a Finance Corporation for Christians, assigning an Officer for Christian welfare concerns and has been keen in addressing the needs of the minority institutions and schools. He had deep passion for the liberation and transformation of the marginalized and was thriving for their cause day in and day out. Dr. YSR challenged his opponents boldly in calling him casteist favouring one particular caste and community. He has clarified time and again that he did not believe in caste, community, religion and region, and also declared that there were inter-caste marriages within their family.

An exemplary leader, leader with courage, leader with commitment, leader who worked on behalf of the poor and marginalized and a leader with bold vision and charisma, Dr. YSR had truly lived up to his calling as a leader and as Chief Minister of the State. His faith in God was a great asset to him, for he always believed in prayers, be it for rains, be it for governance or on any other matter. He had always requested his people to trust in God for God’s grace and favour. His strength lay in holding together different groups within his party.

As a man of actions, he always had a cheerful disposition and had won the hearts of several people in the State and in the Country though his vision, mission and leadership. His untimely death, at this critical juncture is a great loss to the entire nation in general and to Andhra Pradesh, in particular. He left a void and his demise is an irreparable loss in the polity and governance. May God be with the members of the bereaved family and the people of Andhra, and I pray that God consoles them at this difficult time. Dr. YSR surely is an inspiration to many young people and I hope that his rich political legacy shall be carried forward to the coming generations. Let us all thank God for the life and witness of Dr. YSR, and hope the leaders across party affiliations in the State and in the Country learn from his character and rise up to the occasion in serving the poor and the marginalized. Amar Rahe Dr. YSR Amar Rahe.
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Just one week ago on the 26th August 2009, my last write up on my blog was on Dr. YSR moving a resolution urging Central government to grant SC status to Dalit Christians & Dalit Muslims. Now after a week, with pain had to write a tribute on him. We miss you Dr. YSR.